What can we expect from season 2 of conspiracy thriller Mr. Robot

The first season of USA network’s conspiracy thriller, Mr. Robot, took both viewers and critics by surprise, even winning several awards including a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award for best drama. Recently extended to 12 episodes, season 2 will debut on July 13th. With it’s sophomore season just around the corner, we take a look at what’s to come.

This article includes spoilers from season 1.

Our democracy has been hacked.

For those unfamiliar with the series, the official synopsis is as follows:

MR. ROBOT follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a young cyber-security engineer who becomes involved in the underground hacker group fsociety, after being recruited by their mysterious leader (Christian Slater). Following the events of fsociety’s hack on multi-national company Evil Corp, the second season will explore the consequences of that attack as well as the illusion of control. The series also stars Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin, Grace Gummer, Michael Cristofer and Stephanie Corneliussen.

The revolution is far from over.

In season 2 we can likely expect to see an ongoing war between hacktivist group fsociety and Evil Corp, and how many of the characters are coping with having quite literally changed the world, all while continuing to deal with the ongoing revolution. Series creator Sam Esmail has indicated that this season will be even darker than the first, and he had the following to say about what we can expect for the characters going forward:

“In the second season the story really picks up and moves forward. You know, we set up all the characters, and now, really, in the second season we’re really kinda letting all those characters run wild. We’re really going into an ensemble sort of version of the show…we’re in 4 or 5 different worlds at the same time.”

Lead actor Rami Malek, who plays Elliot Alderson, discussed his character this season and indicated how his relationship with Mr. Robot will progress:

“When we first see Elliot this year, he’s trying to come to grips with the acknowledgement that he has a very drastic psychological problem. Now that Elliot knows who Mr. Robot is, what he’s trying to do at all costs is remove him from his world.”

In a recent interview with Collider, he also gave some impressions of what viewers can expect for season 2 overall:

“I would say it’s multi-dimensional and extremely layered. I think the best thing to say is that it is in your face. Nothing we do is salacious or provocative or shocking for the sake of that. Everything that is a surprise or a moment is just an evolution of who these characters are and where the story is going.”

Answers. Questions. An infinite loop, one always leading to the other.

Actor Christian Slater, who plays Mr. Robot, had the following to say about his character’s relationship to Elliot:

“Elliot’s making some choices and trying to exhibit some control, and exhibit some of his own power, and I’m not having any of it. I am as real as Elliot makes me out to be, and I think it’s going to be an interesting journey for the audience to discover what is real.”

So this is what a revolution looks like.

Carly Chaikin, who plays Darlene, had the following to say about where her character is at this season:

“Season 2 really propels the season forward, it’s a totally different world we come back to. You know, she kind of destroyed the world. We come back and kind of find her battling with the aftermath of the hack. Doing something like the hack, with all the consequences, seeing the repercussions of of that…’Was that the right thing to do, or wasn’t it?’ It’s like a battle between what you selfishly want and what you see happening to other people. I think that if she doesn’t stand behind what she does, then she is a monster.”

Intentions don’t change the world.

Portia Doubleday also gave some insight as to what her character, Angela Moss, is going through this season:

“Angela is kind of in the lions den in season 2. I think it opens with her just kind of being acclimated to corporate america and that lifestyle and that energy. I think for her what matter most is that she actually wants to make a difference and she’ll go to any extent to get there. And maybe it means compromising her morals in a certain situation that will garner a better consequence for something else, and I think that that’s what’s so complicated about it. I would say that that’s continuously her struggle in this season.”

The invisible hand. It deceives. Manipulates. Corrupts. It controls us.

While that cast and crew has given us some decent insight on what to expect, many questions still remain unanswered. Most notably the whereabouts of character Tyrell Wellick and how he knows Mr. Robot. We also have no clues as to the legal ramifications of the characters actions, or what effects the hack had on the world. Additionally, we’re still waiting to find out who’s at Elliot’s door. Check out some new footage from the official trailers below…

Season 2 trailer #1:

Trailer #2:

Anyone wanting to revisit season 1 can view an extended recap here:

View a fascinating feature length documentary described as “An exploration of the authenticity and societal impact of the award-winning hacker drama Mr. Robot”:

Jennifer is currently a stay at home mother residing in the Adirondacks region of upstate New York with a background in management and 10 years of experience in entertainment retail. At present, she is training to be a care provider for the elderly and disabled.